- Anastasia M.S. Sulisthio

Term

:

August, 2014

Department

:

Engineering

Program

:

User Experience and Web Design

Anastasia M.S. Sulisthio just might be setting records at UCSC Extension, where she has pursued certificates in Accounting, Web and Interactive Media Design, Early Childhood Education and ECE: Supervision and Administration, and plans to extend her learning to include Internet Programming and Development. Sulisthio is originally from Indonesia and hopes to one day open her own business, either as a Web developer or as the owner/operator of an independent preschool. Her interdisciplinary studies make her a modern-day Renaissance woman.

What initially drew you to UCSC Extension?

UCSC Extension is quite famous, actually, because it is the one UC Extension located in Silicon Valley. I wanted to learn hands-on methods and practical skills, and I found that there are many good programs available. When I first came here, I wanted to take my CPA exam and become a CPA, but then I started taking Web design classes and I loved it so much that I decided I wanted to become a Web designer and programmer. All of the courses I have taken I have liked, whether it was in business, accounting, education, Web design or Internet programming.

What courses stood out to you?

When I took “Designing with Cascading Style Sheets, Advanced” and “HTML/XHTML: Building Blocks for Web Development” [now called “HTML Fundamentals”], it was the most interactive and hands-on training I’ve ever had. I fell in love with Web design, in part because I had such a good instructor.

The instructor for “Perl Programming” explained the theory as we started typing, and if we had any questions, we could ask them in real time. Lab and lecture is a good combination for anyone who wants to learn programming.

What kinds of projects did you complete?

In “Web Design Project,” you have to build a website for a real client. It’s a good process to learn, because you learn everything from interviewing real clients to building the layout and implementing the coding (CSS and HTML) and the programming. This is useful because we can show our Web portfolio when applying for jobs or internships.

What’s the benefit in taking courses from different disciplines?

Many of the classes I took in different programs were related. If I want to start my own business, I’ll be able to implement all the knowledge that I have. If I have the time I’d like to go back to Indonesia, where I can use my business, accounting and education skills to open a preschool. If I decide to open a small Web design company, I’ll have the accounting and finance skills I need.

UCSC Extension is a good place to help you keep up with all the technology. You meet so many people, some of them experts from other fields. This is the place to get good ideas.